How to Use:
Cardamom

About: Cardamom is an incredibly rich yet light aromatic spice that reminds you of cinnamon, but has its own unique ambiance. Cardamom is antispasmodic which makes it
handy for any types of stomach cramps caused by indigestion or IBS. Like its close relative ginger, cardamom is is well known for relief of nausea, especially morning sickness in pregnancy. Cardamom
strengthens digestion and kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath, making
it an excellent after dinner tea. Cardamom also can help clear congestion from colds, flu and allergies. "Second
only to lemon, Cardamom is perhaps the best source of a phytochemical called
cineole, which calms your nerves and clears your head".
(Duke)

Preparation Methods & Dosage :A few crushed cardamom pods also give an exotic twist to dinner coffee. In the middle east, the traditional way to make cardamom coffee is with equal parts cardamom seeds and coffee beans, flavored with sugar, cloves and saffron, but this may be a bit strong for Western tastes. As a culinary herb it is used
to flavor spicy, hot curries and rice dishes. Drink a warming cup of cardamom
tea, or use it in steam inhalations and foot baths.

Cardamom : Essential Oil Profile

Cardamom oil has the same sweet, spicy, camphor-like aroma as cardamom pods.

In the Kitchen: Add cardamom to coffee for an exotic twist. Use powdered cardamom in place of cinnamon in baking, especially good on sweet buns. It can also be to flavor spicy, hot curries and rice dishes.

Ayurvedic Medicine
Cardamom, or Ela has a warming, anti-mucus action that removes excess kapha from the lungs. Black cardamom, Amomum subulatum, A. costatum, the species used in Ayurveda has a smoky, savory flavor. (Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa & Michael Tierra)

Plant Description

Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887

Cardamom is a perennial reedlike herb native to Asia and southern India that grows up to 13 feet tall. A relative of ginger, the fruits contain small reddish-brown seeds from which the essential oils is extracted.

History and Traditions & Folklore

James Duke. "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook" Rodale Books, (2000) Cardamom is perhaps the best source of a phytochemical called cineole, (56,000 ppm in Fruit) which helps break up chest congestion and gives the entire central nervous system a boost. It kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath. ,pp61-62

Looking for something you can read offline? Join our mailing list and get a free copy of Methods for Using Herbs. This free handbook includes instructions on how to make basic herbal preparations at home. It covers making herbal teas, herb infused oils and balms, tinctures, and more.

** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **